THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
AFTERNOON SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Marc Brière, President of the Union of Taxation Employees. He gave instructions for the translation devices. He acknowledged, that the meeting is taking place on traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin, Anishinaabe peoples. The meeting being held virtually and in person from Turtle Island. He gave respect to the land and its people across the generations. He welcomed everyone and gave administrative details. The session opened with the song Solidarity Forever in both French and English.
President Brière asked the delegation to respect a moment of silence for members who have passed away since the last conference, a special mention of Sister Finsten’s recent passing.
He offered other administrative details and spoke on the hospitality suite safe usage. He went over the Harassment Policy and introduced the Complaint Administrators: Doug Gaetz, Brian Oldford, and Jennifer McPherson and Shirin Amiri. The related information is available at the back of each region cards.
He reminds participants that all UTE events are scent free and that it is expected that the policy be respected in all the spaces available to UTE.
He also introduced the members that have the first aid - CPR training: Josh Atwood, Imre Bene, Ken Bye, Mike Chartrand, Cosimo Crupi, Patrick Ferguson, Doug Gaetz, Trixie Gorzo, Alex Thon.
He introduced the members of the Executive Council, the National Office staff, the Local Presidents and the Life members Doug Gaetz and Gary Esslinger.
He asked the new Local Presidents to introduce themselves.
HOURS OF SESSION
m/s Alexandre Dumont (70035) / Melanee Jessup (00015)
That the hours of session be as follows:
- MOTION CARRIED.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s Trixie Gorzo (30022) / Claude Flamand (10009)
That the agenda be adopted with the modifications.
- MOTION CARRIED
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
01:15 pm – 03:00 pm Call to Order (30022
Administrative details
Hours of Session
Adoption of Agenda
Opening Remarks - National President
Highlights on Items dealt by the Executive Council
03:00 pm – 03:15 pm Health break
03:15 pm – 04:15 pm Call Centre Committee update
Collective Bargaining update
Strike Breakers Committee update
Honours and Awards Committee Presentation
04:15 pm – 05:00 pm Items submitted by Local Presidents
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
09:00 am – 09:15 am Health and Safety Committee update
09:15 am – 10:15 am Items submitted by Local Presidents
10:15 am – 10:30 am Health break
10:30 am – 11:45 am Items submitted by Local Presidents
11:45 am – 01:15 pm Lunch
01:15 pm – 03:00 pm Workshop - Relationship and Issues with PSAC
03:00 pm – 03:15 pm Health break
03:15 pm – 05:00 pm Workshop - Relationship and Issues with PSAC
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024
09:00 am – 09:45 am Joint Consultation Committee on the CRA’s Directive on Virtual Work Arrangements update.
Panel on Virtual Work Agreements update
09:45 am – 10:15 am Items submitted by Local Presidents
10:15 am – 10:30 am Health break
10:30 am – 11:45 am Items submitted by Local Presidents
11:45 am – 01:15 pm Lunch
01:15 pm – 03:00 pm Equal Opportunities Committee update
Black Members Working Group update
Items submitted by Local Presidents
03:00 pm – 03:15 pm Health break
03:15 pm – 05:00 pm Items submitted by Local Presidents
Closing remarks - National President
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY LOCAL PRESIDENTS
OTTAWA HEADQUARTERS – LOCAL 70000
- Communication between locals
- View access to Ulink
MONCTON – LOCAL 60008
- Talking Union Basics UTE course.
- Vacation scheduling in the Call Centers
HALIFAX – LOCAL 80003
- Leave usage and make up storm days for Rollout of On-Site Presence (ROOP)
SAINT JOHN – LOCAL 60005
- Dates for the September President’s Conference
- Hard copies of the collective agreement
SUMMERSIDE – LOCAL 90006
- Mental Health component to be added to the existing UTE courses
EDMONTON – LOCAL 30025
- Memorandum of Understanding for Article 10 and 60
LONDON – LOCAL 00017
- Inaccurate Member numbers
ST. JOHN’S – LOCAL 90001
- Sunset Funding in Contact Centres
- Contact Centre exemption for Rollout of On-Site Presence (ROOP)
TORONTO NORTH – LOCAL 00048
- Update on the Black Members Working Group (removed by the local)
- Update on the Black Class Action Lawsuit
HAMILTON – LOCAL 00014
- The undermining of our collective rights
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER – LOCAL 90000
- List of action items that was supposed to be confirmed in September, and the respective updates.
- Update on Membership cards and unallocated.
SURREY TC /CF – LOCAL 20029
- Arbitration support for Presidents and executives
- CLC’S digital platform for Union’s
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER – LOCAL 90000
- Management not knowing who are reporting physically, or could potentially be reporting to the office, OHS issue.
- Leadership training for Officers
TORONTO NORTH – LOCAL 00048
- Black History Month
- Ceasefire Now Coalition
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER – LOCAL 90000
- Move toward more use of SharePoint.
ADDITIONS FROM FLOOR
KITCHENER -LOCAL 00015
- Harassment in regard to union work
OUTAOUAIS – LOCAL 70035
- Usage of tracking tool and algorithm update
SHAWINIGAN – LOCAL 10005
- Bylaw 13 – Regulation 26 - Discipline
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER – LOCAL 90000
- Guiding principles membership allocation
SYDNEY- LOCAL 80004
- Expanding virtual reporting for national UTE staff
MONCTON – LOCAL 60008
- Protection of personal information such as T4’s
PACIFIC REGION CALL CENTER - 20050
- Article 16.01 Collective Agreement
SHAWINIGAN – LOCAL 10005
- Article 10.01 of the Collective Agreement
KITCHENER - LOCAL 00015
- Notification when member is terminated or when reliability status is revoked.
OPENING REMARKS
President Brière encouraged participants to network and ask questions. He spoke to the action plan that will be brought forth from the January Executive Council retreat. He stated that the TUB Course is ready to be rolled out for the regions in a in-person format. He gave information about the move of the UTE office to the new location at 275 Bank Street in Ottawa.
This new location is better fitted for the UTE needs. He thanked the UTE staff and Brother Adam Jackson for their hard work and patience during this process. Political action - negociations
President Marc Brière also gave an update on the following subjects:
- Grievance course roll out
- Political action- bargaining
- Notice of opposition Phoenix
- Follow up: lack of respect from the employer
- Call Centre timed financing
HIGHLIGHTS ON ITEMS DEALT BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
President Brière gave an update on the Executive Council business that was dealt with.
- Meeting with the NCR presidents- Structure Committee
- Amend Regulation 21, to include pet care
- Donation Montréal region
- Signing authorities
- Grievance Tracking System
- Trusteeship report – Lethbridge 30027
- Trusteeship report - Ottawa centre 70004.
- Confirmation of Trusteeship 70030
- Pet care resolution
HEATH BREAK
The session resumed at 3:15.
Vacancies on UTE Committees, Brother Brière explained that UTE National will review the past nominations received.
Call Centre Committee Update
Brother Brian Oldford, Chair of the Call Centre Committee introduced and thanked the committee members, he gave an update and answered questions from the participants.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMMITTEE UPDATE
2nd Vice-President Adam Jackson gave an update to the assembly. Brother Jackson explained the bargaining demands process and procedure.
STRIKE BREAKERS COMMITTEE UPDATE
Brother Adam Jackson Chair of the Committee introduced his co-chairs Gary Esslinger and Brian Oldford. An update was offered to participants.
Honours and Awards Committee Presentation
Brother Gary Esslinger Chair of the Honours and Awards Committee presented the committee co-chair Eddy Aristil and Darlene Bembridge.
A 30-year Service pin was awarded to Jamie vanSydenborgh, South-West Region RVP. Gina Degner, president of Hamilton Local 00014 presented a plaque to Brother vanSydenborgh. Brother vanSydenborgh thanked the assembly.
The Award of Merit (Godfroy Côté Award) Awards were presented to Brother Richard Hyatt – Local 20050 and to Barb Pawlovich – Local 00017. They both thanked the assembly.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS
OTTAWA HEADQUARTERS – LOCAL 70000
1. Communication between locals:
Grievances that come from different locals.
Speakers: E. Funiciello (70000), A. Dumont (70035), A. Green (90000)
M. Brière (National President): Long standing problematic with bums and seat rule. Responsibility relies on the local. Need to be careful on the sharing of information, confidentiality needs to be respected. Respective RVPs should be made aware if Local’s are sharing information.
2. View access to Ulink:
Unnecessary back and forth between local and the national office to get information.
Speakers: E. Funiciello (70000), A. Green (90000), J. Nobert (10005), F. Snyder Philipe (10008)
M. Brière (National President): It would be impossible to distribute lists or grant large access to the national data base because of confidentiality obligations.
The meeting recessed at 5 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
MORNING SESSION
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with President Brière in the chair.
He offered precisions about the availably of virtual attendance at the workshops.
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE UPDATE
Brother Doug Gaetz, Chair of the Health and Safety Committee introduced the Committee members. He speaks to the ineffectiveness of the employer concerning the site inspections.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE LOCALS’ PRESIDENTS
MONCTON – LOCAL 60008
1. Talking Union Basics UTE course:
How do we request course for the local. Is there a timeline. There should be a list of available courses on the web site.
Speakers: M. Meneses Rinaldi (60008), A. Green (90000), T. McFetridge (30025)
S. Duncan/ UTE Web and Communications Officer: 2 courses that have the participant manuals are available on the web site.
2. Vacation scheduling in the Call Centers
Speakers: M. Meneses Rinaldi (60008), T. McFetridge (30025), G. Jubinville (observer,10008), G. Degner (00014)
M. Brière (National President): encourages locals to grieve.
HALIFAX – LOCAL 80003
1. Leave usage and make up storm days for Rollout of On-Site Presence (ROOP):
They are trying to do regional policies, because of storms. Refers to telework agreement. They are dictating where the workplace is when offices are closed.
Speakers: J. Atwood (80003), A. Green (90000), Z. Braun (00016), T. Marcotte (70001), K. Bye (00052), T. McFetridge (30025)
A. Holmes / LRO: Explained that as per the collective agreement, employer can ask that you continue work virtually. The handling in not uniform, should be discussed at UMA’s.
W. Afifi / SLRO: Gave supplemental precisions. Employees should make effort to get to work, assessing case by case basis to evaluate. Union as to be careful because a bad ruling could cause unwanted precedence. 699 is in article 53 of the collective agreement, which was there before COVID, have to make reasonable efforts (jurisprudence and case law). He reiterates the fact that caution should be considered because an unfavorable ruling could affect all.
Brother Gaetz gave finance information on the stipend for observers.
SAINT JOHN – LOCAL 60005
1. Dates for the September President’s Conference:
Work life balance, importance of Truth and Reconciliation, what steps were taken with the hotel.
Speakers: D. Bembridge (60005), J. Jenkins (80004)
D. Camara (Executive Assistant to the National President): There were no legal reason to cancel event with the hotel. There would have been full charge of event for cancelling. Other weekends in September and October were not feasible because of multiple other statutory holidays and hotel availability to reschedule.
HEALTH BREAK
The session resumed at 10:40 with President Marc Brière in the chair.
SAINT JOHN – LOCAL 60005
2. Hard copies of the collective agreement:
Copies were received. Why did it take that long?
Speaker: D. Bembridge (60005)
M. Brière (National President): Misunderstanding with the employer on that. Received 700 copies at National Office. There was push back for UTE to return to the employer. To help with the timeliness of delivery, UTE agreed to pay for half the shipping cost.
SUMMERSIDE – LOCAL 90006
1. Mental Health component to be added to the existing UTE courses.
Speakers: M. Getson (90006)
M. Brière (National President): looking into TED to deliver the course, evaluating the ways to deliver, be mindful of employee agreement.
EDMONTON – LOCAL 30025
1. Memorandum of Understanding for Article 10 and 60
Speakers: T. McFetridge (30025), J. Nobert (10005), S. Smylski (50032), J. Atwood (80003), A. Green (90000)
A. Jackson (2nd VP): Art. 10 intent at table is that it would be available, if deemed useful. There is no agreement.
M. Brière (National President): Art. 60, there was a memorandum of Understanding, employer was late implementing that clause. Language is on the web site. Will follow up with S. O’Brien about disk(geolocating).
D. Camara (Executive Assistant to the National President): Art. 60, list is sent directly to PSAC as they are the negotiator. Asked CRA to receive by local’s, National office then reports back.
LONDON – LOCAL 00017
1. Inaccurate Member numbers:
Shane O’Brien had given instructions as to what to request. Need a currant list of members sitting (geolocating). All locals must do the work.
Speakers: I. Auld (00017), J. Whyman (00011), D. Bembridge (60005)
W. Afifi / SLRO: confirmed the information given by Brother Auld.
M. Brière (National President): Spoke to PSAC and will follow up again.
LUNCH
AFTERNOON SESSION
WORKSHOP – RELATIONSHIP AND ISSUES WITH THE PSAC
The regions were meeting in their assigned breakout rooms for the workshop.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024
MORNING SESSION
The meeting reconvened at 9:00 a.m. with National President Brière in the Chair.
He gave announcements.
JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEE ON THE CRA’S DIRECTIVE ON VIRTUAL WORK ARRANGEMENTS UPDATE
Brother Adam Jackson presented the Committee members: Shane O’Brien, Adam Jackson Kimberly Koch, Wael Afifi and Daniel Camara. They have met 5 times, making progress on the Policy, can not comment until a joint communiqué is prepared.
PANEL ON VIRTUAL WORK AGREEMENTS UPDATE
Brother Wael Afifi presented the members of the panel. Sister Kristina Cooke and brothers Daniel Camara and Shane O’Brien. Purpose of the panel is to address dissatisfaction with the 2 directives on telework.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS
LONDON – LOCAL 00017 (con’t)
1. Inaccurate Member numbers:
Locals need the information, entitled to our local members information.
Speakers: Z. Braun (00016), I. Auld (00017)
M. Brière (National President): Encouraged to use Org. chart, push employer.
ST. JOHN’S – LOCAL 90001
1. Sunset Funding in Contact Centres
Speaker: P. Alyward (90001)
2. Contact Centre exemption for Rollout of On-Site Presence (ROOP)
Speakers: P. Alyward (90001), S. Smylski (50032)
TORONTO NORTH – LOCAL 00048
1. Update on the Black Class Action Lawsuit:
Speaker: M. Spencer (00048)
HAMILTON – LOCAL 00014
1. The undermining of our collective rights:
The employer pushes back on applying what was negotiated. Lack of consultation with the Union. CRA HR decides everything? Risk of losing workers with budget coming.
Speakers: G. Degner (00014), T. Gorzo (30022), S. Hewitt (00051), A. Omari (observer 00014), A. Green (90000)
M. Brière (National President); Will follow up, not optimistic about the upcoming funding announcements.
D. Lanthier (RVP NCR): Employer is going directly to locals to push stuff and call it consultation; the employer bypasses the UTE National to get what they want. We need to push back.
HEALTH BREAK
The session was called back to order at 10:30 with President Brière in the Chair.
Point of Privilege: Brother David Lanthier asked participants to sign a petition for the Canadian Forces Non-Funded Workers that are on strike.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER – LOCAL 90000
1. List of action items that was supposed to be confirmed in September, and the respective updates.:
How many cards are sitting on list at UTE?
Speaker: A. Green (90000)
M. Brière (National President): He apologized and a follow up will be coming.
2. Update on Membership cards and unallocated.:
How many membership cards are not yet processed.
Speakers: A. Green (90000), H. Kenny (20029)
M. Brière (National President): No more than 300, will follow up.
SURREY TC /CF – LOCAL 20029
1. Arbitration support for Presidents and executives:
PSAC does not support adequately.
Speaker: H. Kenny (20029)
M. Brière (National President): Arbitration is the responsibility of the PSAC. Dues are given to PSAC to handle. Not ready to assign LRO.
W. Afifi (SLRO): Services provided by PSAC as the bargaining agent. It does not not mean we should roll over if services are not satisfactory. If dissatisfied with the PSAC service, it should be reported to UTE National. When the process is taking place, we are not a third party, we cannot be there. If you are there as a witness, the witness is not there for the entire proceeding.
M. Brière (National President): Suggested to talk to RVP and LRO, to ask for guidance.
2. CLC’S digital platform for Union’s:
Action Network is a great system; UTE should look into it.
Speaker: H. Kenny (20029)
Susan Duncan (Web and Communication Officer): will look into it once she receives more information.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER – LOCAL 90000
3. Management not knowing who are reporting physically, or could potentially be reporting to the office, OHS issue.:
Reporting on e-concierge, the system is not reliable. Sign in not enforced.
Speakers: A. Green (90000), I. Auld (00017), T. Marcotte (70001), S. Bulger (70010 observer), D. Jacob (observer 00051), R. Ward (70010 observer), J. Atwood (80003), K. Bye (00052), T. McFetridge (30025), I. Bene (70010), S. Cowie (20027), J. Boulanger (10005)
M. Brière (National President): E-concierge is not the best tool. There might be something better. There are discussions to be had.
D. Gaetz (First Vice-President): They are supposed to register in e- concierge, employees are not registering, it is the management’s responsibility that they make sure employees have indeed registered. Suggested to bring subject forward to OHS meeting.
LUNCH
ATERNOON SESSION
The session was called back to order at 1:30 with President Brière in the Chair.
David Lanthier: Donation 565 $
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE UPDATE
Sister Kimberley Koch, Chair of the Equal Opportunities Committee presented the Committee members. There were two meetings to review the applications.
The recommendations that were approved by Executive Council are as follows:
Persons with Disabilities: Terry (TJ) McKinnon (Alternate: Maureen O’Hearon-Lang)
Indigenous Peoples: Laureen Harvey (Alternate: Thia Phan)
TLGBTQ2+: Priscilla Lam (Alternate: Julien Nobert)
Racially Visible: Doron Jacob (Alernate: Stephanie Lau)
Women: Alanna Schier (Alternate: Olga Voloshina)
BLACK MEMBERS WORKING GROUP UPDATE
Brother Eddy Aristil, Chair of the working group gave an update and reminds participants that the collaboration of all is needed to help support the working group.
Brother Aristil answered questions.
ITEMS SUBMITTED BY THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER – LOCAL 90000 (Con’t)
3. Management not knowing who are reporting physically, or could potentially be reporting to the office, OHS issue.:
Reporting on e-concierge, the system is not reliable. Sign in not enforced.
Speakers: J. Johnson (observer 30025), A. Green (90000)
4. Leadership training for Officers:
More training for activists no matter the position on the executive. Course or workshop on what a leader is. How to develop RVP (succession planning), limited number of spots for training (re-National Course)
Speakers: A. Green (90000), P. Salem (10028), S. Hewitt (00051), J. Atwood (80003), L. Pallotta (observer 70000)
M. Brière (National President): Asked for more precisions, the needs will be evaluated. Some internal training need to be reviewed.
C. Crupi (RVP N-E Ontario): Regions have to be creative with the training.
J. vanSydenborgh (RVP S-W Ontario): Regions are working together.
J. Martel (RVP Québec): Encourages to make good use of regional training funds. Sharing costs with another region.
Kevin Welgush (RVP Rocky Mountains): Questioned the way participants were selected.
Daniel Camara (Executive Assistant to the National President): Explained the selection process.
TORONTO NORTH – LOCAL 00048
3. Black History Month
Speakers: M. Spencer (00048), Selby Hewitt (00051)
HEALTH BREAK
The session resumed at 3:30 p.m.
TORONTO NORTH – LOCAL 00048 (con’t)
4. Ceasefire Now Coalition
Speaker: M. Spencer (00048)
M. Brière (National President): Complex issue, a discussion will follow with Executive Council.
ST. JOHN’S TAXATION CENTER – LOCAL 90000
5. Move toward more use of SharePoint:
Use the tool to be more efficient.
Speaker: A. Green (90000)
M. Brière (National President): Will follow up with Alex Thon (IT officer).
KITCHENER -LOCAL 00015
1. Harassment in regard to union work, are there other locals that experience this?
Speakers: M. Jessup (00015), H. Kenny (20029), T. McFetridge (30025), A. Green (90000), C. Majore (observer 00014), M. Getson (90006)
M. Brière (National President): Encouraged to not tolerate this type of interference in Union business. You have to talk to your RVP.
OUTAOUAIS – LOCAL 70035
1. Usage of tracking tool and algorithm update:
Follow up to September.
Speakers: A. Dumont (70035), T. Veltri (00020)
D. Lanthier Chair of the Tech Change Committee: This was brought to the Committee. Committee needs concrete examples.
LIST OF ACTION ITEMS - MARCH 2024
All in favor
Point of privileges: Last President’s Conference
Patricia Sleczkowski, Greater Toronto RVP recognizes Patricia Kendle (00013)
Gary Esslinger, Prairies RVP recognizes Patrick Ferguson (50032)
CLOSING REMARKS
President Brière thanked all participants for their great participation and for the Items submitted. He recognized the great work being done locally.
He thanked all those involved in the preparation and delivery of the conference.
Encouraged participants to submit the Conference Evaluation Forms.
Political Action will be at the for front at next September’s Conference.
Employer not respecting our members, situation is worsening, not respecting the collective agreement. We must show solidarity and strength.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.